The aim of the project is to engage the public in research design and piloting of a research project investigating potential benefits of creative activities in an objective, empirical manner.

Project Timeline

The project will run from January-June 2018.

Phase 1 involved visiting local craft community events to talk about the project, and invite members to attend a research engagement and craft ‘Yarnfulness Tea Party’.

Phase 2 will run online and face-to-face engagement events to develop the research idea and identify study contributors.

Phase 3 will engage lay contributors in the design of a study protocol. This study will aim to investigate the relationship between yarn-crafts and wellbeing. The exact research question and design will take into account all the discussions of Phases 1 and 2, as well as contributor input. The end of phase 3 will involve piloting the methodology with new volunteers.

Additional events will include a Public Knitting Circle at Oxford’s Pitt Rivers Museum ‘Pitt Fest’, and a Knit-In event with some of the Museum’s Community Members.